Controlling device for musical-instrument mechanisms.



W11?- B242 Brown a No. 893,736. PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

P. B. KLUGH. CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MECHANISMS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26,1907.

' z snnnars-snnr 1.

No. 893,736. PATENTED JULY 21, 1908.

P. B. H.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR MUS INSTRUMENT MECHANISMS.

- APPLICATION FILED JULY 26.1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL BROWN KLUGI'I, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CABLE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Specification of'Letters Patent.

- Patented July 21,1908.

Application filed July 26, 1907. Serial No. 385,693.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL BROWN KLUGH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Controlling Device for Musical- Instrument Mechanisms, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to ianos, organs, and similar instruments, an to mechanisms adapted to automatically play musical instruments, and has for its object to provide a simple device for controlling the action of such instruments and mechanisms that may .be conveniently located for easy manipulation by the fingers of the operator.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a device whereby the operation of two or more operable parts. or divisions of such instruments or mechanisms may be controlled either separately or collectively and whereby one or more of the controlled 0 erable parts or divisions may be sustaine( in either operative or inoperative osition without interfering with the contro of other operable parts or divisions by the device.

Figure 1 is a view of the forward edge of the key-table of an automatic-playing piano, showing my device placed in a position convenient for manipulation and illustrating the manner of such manipulation when the hands of the operator are employed to operate the controlling devices usually incorporated in such instruments. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the preferred construction of my device in connection with one of a possible number of methods of applying operating power to movable expression-modifying parts of a iano. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate modifications 1n the construction of my device. I

Continued. effort to afford adequate expression-regulating means upon mechanical musical instruments has developed a difficulty in providing controlling devices therefor that may be conveniently operated without the demand of unusual skill or continued ractice. difficulty, I have devised a tilting tablet that may be employed for suitably controlling any of a number of various well-known methods of expression regulation, among which are (I) movement of the hammer-rail, (2) movement of the string-dampers, and, (3)

With the desire to overcome this regulation of the power exerted by the automatic-playing mechanism.

The three noted methods for regulation of the ex ression aresometimes' separated into indivi ually operable divisions, and in such instance combinations may be effected in the simultaneous, successive, or alternate-operation of the different divisions which may be congrolled by my device, which I will now descri e.

In the drawings, 1 re resents the key-bed,

2 the keys, 3'the key-s ip, 4 the automaticplaying controlling-devices, 5 the damper-retracting rod, and 6 the hammer-raillifting rod of the usual type of automatic laying piano. As all of t ese parts may be constructed in any ordinary or other manner and are well known to those conversant with the art, description thereof is unnecessary.

Placed in a position at the forward edge of the key-bed 1 convenient for mani ulation by a fin er of the operator, I provi e a tiltable tab et 10, which in my preferred form of construction is supported upon the u per ends of two vertical valve-operating p ungers 11 and 12. These plungers rest respectively u on two valves 13 and 14, which are arranged upon the under side of the key-bed.

I prefer to fit the tablet 10 into a sinkage 9 wni h serves partly as a guide for the tablet and 1partly to assist in the convenient dis- 85 posa of the device. For the purpose of retaining the tablet in this sinkage and in proper relation at all times with the ends of the plungers 11 and 12, I pivot to the tablet at 8 a plunger 18, which extends through the key-bed and is fitted with a nut and noise-preventing washer at 19'. I have shown other noise-preventing cushions applied at 10 and 11 The valves 13 and 14 are each rovided with one or more channels 31, whic form a continuation of the tubes 28 and extend to and open out u on the upper surface of the valves. The va ves are normally pressed upwardly against the under side of the key-bed by the springs 15 and 16, respectively, andthe ends of the channels are in such manner held closed. The springs, 15 and 16 sup porting the mechanism are strong enough .to close the valves securely but may be sensitive to the slightest touch.

The device may be easily and advantagcously operated by the little finger as shown in Fig. 1, thereby allowing the employment of the other fingers in manipulation of other controlling devices usually incorporated in this class of instruments.

It will be seen that alternative depression of the ends of the tablet 10 will serve to open one or the other of the valves 13 or 14 by means of the plungers 1]. and 12, andsimultaneous opening of beth the valves may be effected by pressure upon the tablet at or near the center thereof, also,.intermittent operation of one valve during the sustained open position of the other may be accomp ished by sliding or "rocking the finger towards or from the center of the tablet while continuing the downward pressure thereon.

25 designates a device for o crating the hammer-rail lifting-rod 6, and the operation thereof is sufficiently familiar to those conversant with the art to render elaborate descri tion unnecessary. I

T e device mentioned is connected by means of the tube 32 with a source of airtension supply (not shown) and comprises a motor pneumatic 26 adapted to be collapsed by the air-tension when connected therewith by movement of the valve 27. Valve 27 is operated upon inflation and deflation of the diaphragm pneumatic 27 caused by the admission or exclusion of outside air in tube 28. Tube 28 extends from'the controlling valve 13, which when closed excludes outside air and permits a vacuum therein, equal to and derived from that of the chamber over the diaphragm throu h the vent 33. The diaphragm is thus situated between chambers under equal stress and therefore remains in balanced or inoperative position, and the valve 27 is drawn firmly down-upon the lowerseat, allowing inflation of the power pneumatic 26 through the open upper valveort.

p Simultaneous with the valve 13 to open the tube movement of the diaphragm 27 due to the reduction of the tension under the diaphragm, by such opening of the valve.

pward movement of the diaphragm forces the valve 27 away from the lower and movement of the 28 is-the upward against the upper seat, thereby connecting the pneumatic 26 with air-tension and excluding outside air, causing immediate collapse of the said pneumatic.

30 designates a similar device which may be provided for the operation of the damperretracting rod 5, and further duplications may be employed for the operation of other mechanisms or divisions comprised in the instrument.

An important advantage gained through the use of the device which I have described consists of the fact that different combinations may be ellected in the grouping of the controlling connections of the parts or divi sions :l'or control thereby, and when desirable seams when the parts have been separated into tre ble and bass divisions.

Although I have shown and describedmy device in connection with means for operating well known expression devices of an automatic playing piano, I am aware that other means than those shown and described may be employed to secure desired effects, and that other operating power than air-tension may be utilized; that the device may be installed in organs for controlling the operation of parts comprised therein, and would be especially adaptable for controlling the oper i ation of automatic playing mechanisms, whether or not contained within the case of a musical instrument. I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the use of the device in connection with the particular construction herein shown, but

What I do claim and Letters Patent, is

1. In-a musical instrument, operable parts and means for operating the said parts comprising a tablet arranged for finger-depression successively at its op osite extremities and simultaneously at bot 1 extremities.

desire to secure by and means for operating the said parts comprising a tablet arranged for finger-depression alternately at its'opposite extremities and simultaneously at both extremities.

.3. In an automatic musical instrument. the combination of means for varying the operation thereof and a controlling device for said means comprising a tablet arranged for finger-depression at its opposite extremities and simultaneously at both extremities.

4. In an automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments, operable parts and means for operating the said parts compris ing a tablet arranged-for finger-depression successively at its op osite extremities and extremities.

simultaneously at bot 5. In an automatic playing mechanism for musical instruments, operable parts and means for operating the said parts comprising a tablet arranged for ii.ngerdepression alternately at its opposite extremities and simultaneously at both extremities.

6. In a musical instrument, a plurality of plungers and a tablet arranged for finger-dcpression supported by the said plungers, whereby depression of the tablet at a point approximately over a certain plunger operates that plunger.

7. In a musical instrument, a plurality of plungers and an: oblong tablet pivotally supported for bodily finger-depression with its end parts in operative contact with said plungers, whereby depression of either of its said end parts operates the plunger in con.- tact therewith and depression of both end parts operates both. of the plungers.

2. In a musical instrument, operable parts 8. In a key board musical instrument, in combination with a key table and keys, a

plurality of vertical plungers extending through said key-table to be'operated, an oblong tablet resting with each endpart over and in operative contact with one of said plungers and adapted upon depression at the ends to operate the plungers thereunder, a plunger pivotally connected to the tablet and extending through said key-table, and a removable screw-nut adjustably secured u on the pivotally connected plunger, said pl iingers, tablet, pivotally-connected plunger and screw-nut comprising a device supported to extend artly above and artly wlthin the ke tab e near the forwar edge thereof and be ow said keys.

10. In an automatic playing mechanism, the combination of means for varying the 7 operation of the mechanism and a controlling device for said means comprising a plurality of plungers and an oblong tablet supported at (-ach end part by one of the 'plungers and adapted upon de ression of either of the ends to operate the p ung er thereunder.

11. In an automatic playing mechanism,

the combination of means for varying the operation of the mechanism and a controlling device for said means comprising a plurality of plungers and an oblong tablet supported with each end part in operative contact with one ofthe plungers and adapted upon de pression of either of the ends to operate the plunger proximate thereto.

part of the 12. In an automatic playing mechanism, the combination of means for varying the operation of the mechanism and a controlling device for said means comprising a plurality g of lungers and an oblong tablet supported 1 wit each end part in operative contact with a one of the plungers and adapted upon depression of either end to operate the plunger proximate thereto and when depressed at.

0th ends to operate both of the plungers. 13. In a musical instrument, the combination of a table, vertical plungers through said table, an oblong tablet resting with its end parts in operative contact with said plun ers, a lunger pivotally connected to the-tab at an extending throu 11 said table, and a removable and adjusta le screwnut secured to the lower end part of the pivotally-con'nected plunger to rev'ent withdrawal from said table and t ereby acting with said pivo-tally-connected plunger to retain said tablet insaid operative contact.

14. In an automatic 1) aying mechanism, the combination of a tab e, vertical plunger-s extending'through said table, an oblong tablet resting with its .end parts in operative contact wlth said plungers, a plunger pivotally connected to the tablet and extending through said table, and a removable and ad justable screw-nut secured to the lower end ivotally-connected' plunger to prevent wit drawal from said table and thereby acting with said ivotally-connected plunger to retain said tab et in said operative contact.

Signed at Chicago,"lllinois, this sixth day of July, 1907, in the presence of subscribing Witnesses;.

PAUL BROWN KLUGH.

Witnesses I. A. DAVENPOR T, E. -D. KETQHAM.

extending I 

